Go on a Journey with a Sellosaurus

Sellosaurus
The Sellosaurus is one of several Triassic dinosaurs found in Germany in the early 1900s. Since then, the name has changed several times. Some paleontologists have even lumped the Sellosaurus in with Plateosauruses. Contemporary researchers cite the many differences between a Plateosaurus and Sellosaurus, arguing that the Sellosaurus is its own distinct dinosaur.

Some Quick Facts about the Sellosaurus

P. gracilis, formerly known as Sellosaurus gracilis
P. gracilis, formerly known as Sellosaurus gracilis
NameSallosaurus (meaning “saddle-like lizard”)
Type of dinosaurProsauropoda (early Sauropodomorpha)
TerritoryGrasslands and forests, Germany
Size13-23 feet long, 7-9 feet tall
ColorDark green
Interesting CharacteristicsLong, flexible neck and tail, strong hind legs, short forelimbs with a flexible thumb used for grasping
DietHerbivore
Major ThreatsPredators, natural disasters, and climate change

The Sellosaurus was a sauropodomorph dinosaur discovered by Albert Burrer in Germany. The Sellosaurus was one of many different species from the Upper Triassic Period found in the Lowenstein Formation between 1902 and 1914.

The species taxonomy of the Sellosaurus is complicated, but without more fossil evidence, the debate rages on. Here’s what we know about the Sellosaurus so far, and some of the reasons why scientists can’t seem to agree on what kind of dinosaur it is.

Are a Plateosaurus and Sellosaurus the Same Dinosaur?

Many paleontologists say that the Plateosaurus and Sellosaurus are the same dinosaurs. Others say there are too many differences. Their teeth are different, and the Sellosaurus is much smaller than the Plateosaurus. Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of Sellosaurus fossils, so paleontologists are still unsure about Sellosaurus’s classification.

In 2003, Adam Yates said that the Sellosaurus was actually related to Plateosaurus engelhardti, and changed Sellosaurus’s scientific name to Plateosaurus gracilis. He called Sellosaurus gracilis a synonym for Plateosaurus, not two separate dinosaurs. But today some paleontologists believe that Sellosaurus should revert back to Sellosaurus gracilis and be considered a separate species.

Why Does the Sellosaurus Have So Many Names?

Like many other dinosaurs, we’ve learned a lot about the Sellosaurus since it was first discovered. The common name Sellosaurus means “saddle-like lizard” and was given to the fossil remains by Peter Galton and Robert Bakker. We still call the Sellosaurus by this common name, but the scientific name for Sellosaurus has changed many times in the last 100 years.

In 1905, Friedrich von Huene called them Sellosaurus Fraasi. This lumped the Sellosaurus in with the Efraasia. By 1908, von Huene had reclassified the fossil evidence as Sellosaurus gracilis. Since then, researchers have continued to argue over what the Sellosaurus should be called, and what kind of dinosaur it is.

Where Did the Sellosaurus Live?

The Sellosaurus lived in what is now Germany. Sellosaurus liked wooded areas and grasslands close to water. During the Sellosaurus’s time on Earth, the climate was hot and dry.

Fossil evidence shows that the Sellosaurus lived near Plateosaurs and Efraasias. All three of these dinosaurs traveled in groups, and sometimes herds were a mix of different kinds of herbivores. The much smaller Sellosaurus would have traveled in large groups for safety from theropods, which also shared their habitat.

What Was the Sellosaurus’ Diet?

The Sellosaurus was an herbivore, like a Kentrosaurus. Based on the shape of their teeth, scientists believe they ate soft plant material that wasn’t hard to chew. Since they lived close to water, marsh grass and other water plants would make up a lot of their diet.

Sellosauruses walked on their two hind legs, using their shorter forelimbs for grasping leaves, grass, and other plants. Like the Plateosaurus, they would lower themselves to graze with their weight still on their hind legs. They also used their developed hands to fight off Theropods, slashing with their claws when they couldn’t run away.

Paleontologists are learning more about the Sellosaurus every day. Scientists continue to examine the fossils, which are still kept at the State Museum of Natural History in Stuttgart, Germany. The Lowenstein Formation is also still being studied, which means it’s still possible for more Sellosaurus fossils to be found. But until then, Sellosaurus is still considered a smaller sub-species of the Plateosaurus.

Vianna Arenas

Vianna Arenas is an enthusiastic seeker of knowledge, nature lover, and history buff. When she's not writing about dinosaurs, you can find her camping and hiking with her family.

Recent Posts